Justice News

Middle Georgia Tax Preparer Enters Guilty Plea

Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced that Jackie Elvine, a/k/a Jackie Young, 39, of Jeffersonville, Georgia, entered a plea of guilty on January 17, 2014, to health care fraud, aiding in the preparation of a false tax return and false claims against the Government. Ms. Elvine entered her plea of guilty before the Honorable Marc T. Treadwell, United States District Court Judge, in Macon, Georgia.

As a part of her plea, Ms. Elvine admitted that she established Young's Financial Billing Service in Jeffersonville, Georgia in 2008 as a tax return preparation service. From 2008 to 2010, Ms. Elvine prepared and submitted hundreds of false tax returns. At least 61 of the returns included fraudulent tax credits for first time home buyers. The total amount of those claims was $283,683.00. Also claimed were numerous tax credits for higher education costs that Ms. Elvine knew were not legitimate.

Ms. Elvine also defrauded AFLAC and National Reimbursement Group by filing false health care claims. The amount of loss sustained by AFLAC is $147,483.56. The loss to National Reimbursement Group was $118,446.84.

The Court has scheduled sentencing for Ms. Elvine for April 9, 2014 in Macon, Georgia. She faces a maximum possible sentence of up to ten (10) years imprisonment and a $250,000.00 fine on Count 1, three (3) years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.00 on Count 2 and five (5) years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.00 on Count 3.

"Tax fraud and health care fraud end up hurting all of us. From higher health care costs and insurance premiums to depleting resources for tax credits aimed at helping deserving students and home buyers, these types of crimes are far-reaching. The path of greed in this case will likely lead to the federal prison," stated U.S. Attorney Michael Moore.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, Department of Health and Human Services-Office of lnspector General, Georgia Department of Revenue and Twiggs County Sheriffs Office. Assistant United States Attorney Graham Thorpe is handling the prosecution for the Government.